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It’s not exactly revenge or trying to erase the memory of Chris Davis’ 100-yard return off a missed field goal, but when the University of Alabama faces Ohio State on Jan. 1 it will have another redemption opportunity.
The last time the Crimson Tide played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome it lost to Oklahoma 45-31 in the 2014 Sugar Bowl.
“It’s kind of getting our identity back,” senior safety Nick Perry said. “We felt we didn’t play our best game last year, and now we have to have something to play for.
“Hopefully, we can win this game and then have another game we can play in. That’s something we think about and know we have to go out and play our best game.”
With the game being a national semifinal (8:30 p.m., ET, ESPN) it’s not as if Alabama needs any extra motivation, and vanquishing last year’s Sugar Bowl loss wasn’t high on its list of priorities this season, but the opportunity presented itself nonetheless.
Generally speaking, New Orleans has usually been one of Alabama’s favorite destinations, and not just because the city is within easy driving distance.
This will be Crimson Tide’s 15th appearance in the Sugar Bowl, which along with its eight wins in the game are both records. It’s where Alabama won the 2011 national title with a 21-0 victory over LSU, and secured championships in 1961, 1978, 1979 and 1992.
“Totally looking forward to it because a lot of my family will be there and I get to stand out in front of them again and see them smile when they watch me play,” junior safety Landon Collins said about getting another chance to play in his hometown.
He’s one of 10 Alabama players who hail from Louisiana, compared to zero for Ohio State. The list includes linebacker Denzel Devall, wide receiving Raheem Falkins, cornerback Bradley Sylve and linebacker Tim Williams, and in the last recruiting class included left tackle Cam Robinson, safety “Hootie” Jones and wide receiver Cam Sims.
Nick Saban also coached at LSU from 2000-04, and assistant coaches Kirby Smart, Lance Thompson and Bo Davis were on that staff as well. Running back coach Burton Burns hails from New Orleans and strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran graduated from LSU.
Moreover, Alabama defeated Ohio State here once before, 35-6, on Jan. 2, 1978. Overall, the Buckeyes are 0-10 all-time versus the Southeastern Conference in bowl games, and 0-3 against the Crimson Tide.
But all those things are secondary compared to what’s at stake, a shot in the title game.
“After the game it’s probably something I will be thinking about, but as far as before the game right now I’m focusing on Ohio State and this year’s Sugar Bowl and this year’s team and sacrifices all my teammates have made and stuff of that order,” senior guard Arie Kouandjio said. “Maybe after the game I can think about what happened last year, but right now we have something to get done.”
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
